When She Ended It With Divorce (Chiara and Titus) novel Chapter 59

**Silent Roads Remember by Sawyer**
**Chapter 59**

As Chiara and Queenie sat at their table, savoring their meals, the cafeteria doors swung open, and Paul stepped inside. Instantly, every gaze in the room turned toward him. After years of being in Titus’s shadow, he thought he had witnessed every conceivable reaction to his presence, but today felt different. It was as if he were an exotic creature, misplaced and scrutinized from the other side of a zoo’s enclosure.

“Paul! What brings you to the cafeteria today?” The head chef, spotting him, abandoned his culinary task and rushed over, his face lighting up with a broad, welcoming smile that seemed to brighten the room.

Clearing his throat, Paul replied, “I’m here to pick up lunch for Mr. Goodman.” The words hung in the air, eliciting a ripple of surprise among the staff.

The chef’s eyes widened in astonishment. “Mr. Goodman actually wants cafeteria food? That’s a rarity!”

It wasn’t that the food was subpar; in fact, the Goodman Group’s cafeteria was renowned across the internet for its lavish offerings—a place where every office worker dreamed of dining. Fresh graduates flocked to this prestigious company, hoping to secure a position, yet the Goodman Group remained inundated with exceptional talent. Choosing anyone from the crowd felt like plucking a gem from a treasure trove.

“Mr. Goodman is interested in reviewing the cafeteria’s menu,” Paul elaborated, attempting to convey the seriousness of the request.

The chef nodded solemnly, his demeanor shifting to one of utmost professionalism. “Rest assured, Paul. We meticulously select fresh ingredients each day to ensure everyone’s health. Please, take your time to look around.”

“Alright, I’ll take a look myself. You can continue with your work,” Paul said, grateful for the chef’s enthusiasm.

“Just call me if you need anything,” the chef responded, before returning to his station.

With that, Paul quietly picked up a disposable lunch box, carefully selecting a few dishes he knew Titus would appreciate.

Across the room, Queenie’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Wait, Mr. Goodman is actually going to eat cafeteria food today? That’s unprecedented!”

Chiara, momentarily distracted, took a sip of her soup and remarked, “Honestly, it tastes pretty good to me.”

“I’ve been Mr. Goodman’s secretary for two years, and I’ve never seen him like this. What’s gotten into him today? It feels a bit off,” Queenie pondered aloud, her curiosity evident as she shot a glance at Chiara.

In her mind, Chiara dismissed the idea. *There’s no way this sudden whim of Titus’s has anything to do with me,* she thought, feeling a mix of skepticism and intrigue.

Queenie, unable to contain her admiration for Chiara’s appearance, suddenly asked, “Hey, have you and Mr. Goodman crossed paths before?”

Chiara paused, meeting Queenie’s gaze. “What do you mean by that?”

“Well, I majored in finance, and I remember the Lynch Group was thriving a few years back. Since both companies are located in Halinston, you must have run into each other, right?” Queenie’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Chiara nodded slightly, not denying their acquaintance. “Yeah, we know each other.”

“See, I knew it!” Queenie exclaimed, satisfaction radiating from her.

Once Paul finished packing the food for Titus, he glanced over at Chiara’s tray. Noticing she was enjoying her meal, he felt a sense of relief. *At least I can tell Mr. Goodman that she’s eating well,* Paul mused.

After Paul departed, Queenie suggested, “Let’s go downstairs and grab some coffee.”

“Thanks for the coffee,” Chiara said as they made their way.

“No need for formalities. I hope you like it,” Queenie replied with a grin that lit up her face.

Chiara could see the earnestness in Queenie’s expression, which prompted her to smile back and take a sip. “Don’t get the wrong idea; I’m not some pampered rich girl. Back in college, I practically lived off street food,” she joked, recalling how Eunice would drag her out for late-night street food runs.

Queenie didn’t seem embarrassed at all by Chiara’s teasing. Instead, she smiled back, “That’s awesome.”

Though this quick coffee grab couldn’t compare to the high-quality brews she was accustomed to, Chiara drank it down without a hint of complaint. She seamlessly adapted to new routines, as if she had always belonged.

“Let’s head back,” Chiara said, her voice steady.

“Sure thing,” Queenie replied.

Upon their return, they found Lena picking at her salad. Queenie placed a coffee on Lena’s desk. “No sugar added.”

Lena shot her a grateful look. “Thanks.”

“It’s nothing,” Queenie replied casually.

Their camaraderie was friendly but not overly familiar. Queenie had a habit of buying coffee for everyone; it was a smart move to avoid office gossip.

“Chiara, could you take this to Noreen for me? I need to use the restroom,” Queenie asked.

“Of course,” Chiara responded.

Chiara picked up the coffee and knocked on Noreen’s office door. “Come in,” Noreen called out.

Queenie accepted the explanation without hesitation, her face lighting up. “Seriously? If Titus is handing these over, they’ve got to be fancy. Looks like we hit the jackpot today.”

“No need for all the fuss,” Paul said, casting a quick glance at Chiara, who was absorbed in her work, oblivious to their exchange.

“Alright, I’ll let you two enjoy it,” Paul added before retreating to his office. Though his office and Noreen’s were small, their proximity made collaboration effortless.

“Chiara, let’s brew up a couple of cups later and see how it tastes. Ever heard of this brand?” Queenie asked, her excitement palpable.

Chiara glanced at the package and nodded, turning her attention back to her screen. “Yeah, I’ve had it before. It’s pretty good.”

“I knew it!” Queenie chuckled, pleased with her discovery.

Most of the coffee beans in Chiara’s kitchen were from that very brand.

Lena quietly observed the two, her gaze shifting between the coffee beans in Queenie’s hand and Chiara’s face, trying to decipher the underlying dynamics.

Something felt off, but Lena couldn’t quite place it. *Yep, there’s definitely something strange about today,* she thought to herself.

Both Lena and Queenie had been in and out of the office several times, yet Chiara hadn’t stepped out once. She was still acclimating to her new role, so there was no need for her to check in.

It wasn’t until quitting time that Paul finally sent her a message. *Paul: [Mrs. Goodman, Mr. Goodman asked if you could go straight to the underground garage after work.]*

Chiara glanced at the message, then shot a look toward Paul’s office before responding. *Chiara: [Sorry, Noreen is treating everyone to dinner tonight, so I can’t head back with you.]*

Paul recalled that Noreen always did this for new hires and promptly forwarded the chat to Titus. Titus read the message and replied with a simple, “Okay.”

*****

Noreen had chosen a lovely restaurant with an inviting atmosphere. The four of them settled into a cozy private booth, the ambiance warm and welcoming.

“Chiara, we’re so glad to have you join us,” Noreen said, her voice rich with warmth.

Chiara glanced at the glass of whiskey in her hand, then raised it in acknowledgment. “Thank you, Noreen. I promise I’ll work hard and contribute my share,” Chiara replied, her tone earnest.